Drama at Pere-Garau Market: Delivery Van Strikes Pedestrian

Drama at Pere-Garau Market: Delivery Van Strikes Pedestrian

At around 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, the normally busy market in the Pere Garau district was shaken by a serious accident. Near house number 9, apparently in a loading area, a collision occurred: a delivery van struck a woman of middle age crossing the area.

The market, known as one of the last "real" markets in Palma, is at this time full of vendor stalls, fruit boxes, and people carrying their purchases home. Local residents say the neighborhood's old rhythm is still palpable here — and that is exactly why many witnesses were in the front row when it happened.

Emergency services from Samu 061 were quickly on site. Rescue crews set up a privacy tent to enable treatment at the scene and to prepare transport to the hospital. The victim's condition was classified as critical; the hospital later confirmed the patient is being treated in intensive care.

The specialized UVAC unit (Unitat de Vehicles d'Accidents) also went to the scene, accompanied by National Police forces. They secured traces, temporarily blocked off the affected area, and began investigations. Neighbors reported that the street between the market stalls suddenly fell silent — only the soft hum of refrigerators could be heard.

Many market visitors stood under awnings or in doorways, others were on the phone seeking information. A fish stall seller, who wished to remain anonymous, later said that he had never experienced something so close: "You hear it, but when it happens right at the doorstep, it's something else."

The area where the incident occurred is used by delivery vehicles that maneuver between stalls on short island ramps. Several residents are now calling for a safe separation of delivery traffic and pedestrian flows, especially on market days when pedestrians and deliveries coincide.

The market management and municipal representatives said they would cooperate with the police authorities to clarify the sequence of events. It will be checked whether signage, barriers, or time regulations for deliveries could help.

For many in Pere Garau the market is more than a place to shop. It is a meeting place, a news exchange, everyday life. That is why the shock runs deep. This afternoon, flowers and a candle lay at a corner of the square — small signs of concern in a neighborhood that otherwise keeps its head down with daily business.

Investigations continue. Anyone who saw anything is asked to contact the National Police. For the affected people and the market community, there remains hope that the injured victim will recover and that lessons will be learned from this incident to prevent similar situations in the future.